Orthodontic bracket placement device and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an orthodontic bracket placement device comprising a horizontal bracket engaging means for engaging an orthodontic bracket, and a vertical shaft extending from the horizontal bracket engaging means, the shaft including a plurality of indicia for aligning with the incisal edge of a tooth when the bracket placement device is used to place an orthodontic bracket engaged by the engaging means on the tooth, wherein the horizontal bracket engaging means forms a junction with the vertical shaft that is off-center of the horizontal bracket engaging means. A method is also provided for placing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth using a bracket placement device of the present invention. Kits comprising bracket placement devices of the present invention are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/106,764, entitled “OrthodonticBracket Placement Device and Coordinated Bracket Placement Method,”filed Mar. 27, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,344. The entire disclosureand contents of the above application is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to dental and orthodonticequipment, and more particularly to an orthodontic bracket placementdevice and method.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Orthodontic brackets are dental devices used to guide tooth movementduring orthodontic treatment. These brackets are typically made ofeither stainless steel, gold or ceramic material. Brackets aremanufactured with specific “prescriptions” which take into account theideal mesiodistal tip of teeth, labiolingual torque of teeth, and thefacial-lingual projection of the teeth (in-out). This prescription makesit imperative that specific brackets be used for specific teeth sincethe dimensions listed above are different to take into account theanatomical and functional differences observed in teeth. Brackets aretypically manufactured in specific dimensions, with the most commonsizes of brackets having working surfaces (slots) in 0.018 inch and0.022 inch dimensions. Either of these measurements allows for an archwire of similar dimension to be placed in the slot and used to assist inthe movement of teeth. In addition, orientation dots or dashes may beplaced by the bracket manufacturer at the distogingival wing of eachbracket to reduce vertical orientation problems during the bondingprocess.

Orthodontic brackets are typically attached to teeth (bonded) withcomposite resin at the facial or lingual (palatal) side of the teeth tobe moved, and the operator uses the orientation dot or dash to assist inproper bracket orientation. The orthodontic arch wire passes through thearch wire slot and is positioned within the mid-portion of the bracket.This bracket/arch-wire interface allows for movement of teeth within theconfines and shape of the wire and the overall prescription of eachbracket. Proper orthodontic bracket placement is second only toappropriate orthodontic diagnosis in the overall scheme of standardizedorthodontic treatment. There is significant scientific and clinicalevidence to indicate that appropriate and well-planned orthodontic toothmovement is less likely to occur if bracket placement is not precise andcarefully controlled. Furthermore, the primary problem in correctlybonding brackets directly to teeth is “ . . . that the dentist must beable to judge the proper position for the attachment and must carry itto place rapidly and accurately”. Contemporary Orthodontics, Proffit, W.R. (editor), 2^(nd) edition, (1993), the entire contents and disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example,improper bracket placement may result in (1) improper tooth movement,(2) worsening of occlusal and periodontal conditions, and (3) potentialproblems in the development of dental caries at bracket sites.

Therefore, there is still a need for an orthodontic bracket placementdevice and method of bracket placement that may improve bracketplacement and subsequently improve the overall accuracy of orthodontictooth movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bracketplacement device that allows for specific positioning of each bracketbased upon measurements found to be beneficial for tooth movement andorthodontic positioning of the teeth.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coordinatedbracket placement method to provide for proper bracket placement andpositioning.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide saleable kitsincluding a bracket placement device.

According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an orthodontic bracket placement device comprising a horizontalbracket engaging means for engaging an orthodontic bracket, and avertical shaft extending from the horizontal bracket engaging means, theshaft including a plurality of indicia for aligning with the incisaledge of a tooth when the bracket placement device is used to place anorthodontic bracket engaged by the engaging means on the tooth, whereinthe horizontal bracket engaging means forms a junction with the verticalshaft that is off-center of the horizontal bracket engaging means.

According to a second broad aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod for placing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth comprising placingthe orthodontic bracket on the tooth at a particular vertical positionon the tooth using a bracket placement device by engaging a horizontalbracket engaging means of the device with a bracket and aligning one ofa plurality of indicia on a vertical shaft of the bracket placementdevice with the incisal edge of the tooth, wherein the horizontalbracket engaging means forms a junction with the vertical shaft that isoff-center of the horizontal bracket engaging means, and adhering theorthodontic bracket to the tooth.

According to a third broad aspect of the invention, there is provided asaleable kit comprising at least one orthodontic bracket placementdevice comprising a horizontal bracket engaging means for engaging anorthodontic bracket, and a vertical shaft extending from the horizontalbracket engaging means, the shaft including a plurality of indicia foraligning with the incisal edge of a tooth when the bracket placementdevice is used to place an orthodontic bracket engaged by the engagingmeans on the tooth, wherein the horizontal bracket engaging means formsa junction with the vertical shaft that is off-center of the horizontalbracket engaging means.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a bracket placement deviceconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bracket placement device constructed in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a bracket placement method of thepresent invention with a bracket placement device of the presentinvention engaged with a coordinated bracket;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bracket placement method of the present inventionwith a bracket placement device of the present invention in use;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bracket placement method of the present inventionwith a bracket placement device of the present invention engaged with abracket;

FIG. 6 illustrates a bracket placement device of the present inventionwith a mirror on one end;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bracket placement device of the present inventionwith a dental scaler on one end;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bracket placement device of the present inventionwith an opening device on one end;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a bracket placement method of thepresent invention with a bracket placement device of the presentinvention engaged with a coordinated bracket;

FIG. 10 illustrates a dental stop according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a kit according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It is advantageous to define several terms before describing theinvention. It should be appreciated that the following definitions areused throughout this application.

DEFINITIONS

Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly used meaning ofthe term, applicant intends to utilize the definitions provided below,unless specifically indicated.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “prescription”refers to the angulation and orientation of an orthodontic bracket.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “distogingival”refers to the lower, left-most region or direction of a bracket.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “incisal edge”refers to the cutting edge of a tooth.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “bracket” refers toany standard or non-standard/custom orthodontic or dental bracket.

For the purposes of the present invention, when referring to a tooth,the term “long axis” refers to the axis of a tooth measured from theincisal edge to the root along the midline.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “stop” refers to adevice used to prevent an orthodontic or dental instrument from movingpast a certain point or used to indicate when such an instrument hasreached a predetermined point.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “tip” refers to adefined bracket angulation that is other than square.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “orientation dot” or“orientation dash” refers to a mark that appears on a bracket toindicate a particular bracket prescription and used to assist inorienting the bracket properly on a tooth.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “wing” refers to araised region located in each corner of a bracket.

For the purposes of the present invention, when referring to a tooth,the term “facial aspect” refers to the front-side of a tooth.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “sidedness” refersto the appropriate bracket (left incisor, for example) being placed onthe correct tooth due to the prescription requirements of thatparticular tooth and the corresponding bracket for that tooth.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “opening device”refers to an apparatus that may be affixed, attached or otherwiseconnected to an orthodontic bracket placement device of the presentinvention and may be used to manipulate moving parts on certainorthodontic brackets, including opening and closing slides, doors orflaps on such brackets, including slides located on self-ligatingbrackets. An example of a self-ligating bracket containing such a slidemay be found in the DAMON SYSTEM™ sold by Ormco Corporation.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “slide” refers to amovable or slidable element on a bracket that may cover an arch wireslot in the closed position or may be moved to expose the arch wire slotof a bracket to allow for access and visualization of the arch wireslot. An example of a bracket containing such a slide may be found inthe DAMON SYSTEM™ sold by Ormco Corporation.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “off-centerjunction” refers to the attachment of two elements such that thejunction is not in the center of at least one of the elements. Anoff-center junction may be “off-center” in any direction and isconsidered “off-center” as long as it is not aligned in at least one of(1) the center of the x, or (2) the center of the y plane of theelement. An example of an “off-center junction” may be seen in FIG. 8 inwhich the horizontal bracket engaging means forms a junction with saidvertical shaft that is off-center of said horizontal bracket engagingmeans.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an orthodontic bracket placement device 100 accordingto the present invention. Device 100 has a vertical shaft 102 and ahorizontal bracket engaging means 104. The identifiers “vertical” and“horizontal” are for illustrative purposes only and refer to the typicalorientation of device 100 when in use. Vertical placement bands 106represent vertical placement prescriptions for brackets. Each band 106represents a different desired placement height of a bracket on a tooth.

Vertical placement bands of the present invention may be etched into theshaft of the bracket placement device and/or may include visibleindicia, markers, numbers, colors, etc. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the bands are each of a different color and maycorrespond to colors on particular brackets. The bands may be made toglow in the dark or to react to UV or other light stimulation. Althoughfour bands are illustrated in FIG. 1, it should be understood that anynumber of bands may be placed on a shaft of a device according to thepresent invention. The bands may correspond to standard bracketprescriptions or may correspond to non-standard/custom heights.

The angle formed between vertical shaft 102 and horizontal bracketengaging means 104 is represented in FIG. 1 as 90°. However, as isindicated by arrows 108, horizontal bracket engaging means 104 may beformed on vertical shaft 102 such that the angle is from about 70° toabout 110°, such as 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110° or anyother suitable angle, to allow for versatility and use with bracketshaving prescriptions requiring the angle to be other than 90°. Thisvariation allows a device of the present invention to be constructedbased on various manufacturers' prescriptions and thus accounts for adesired bracket tip.

The placement end or proximal end of an orthodontic bracket placementdevice of the present invention is defined by the junction of a verticalshaft and a horizontal bracket engaging means. At the opposite end ordistal end of an orthodontic bracket placement device of the presentinvention, any suitable orthodontic or dental tool may be included, suchas a dental scaler, mirror, opening device, etc. Such tools may beaffixed, attached, or otherwise connected to the orthodontic bracketplacement device in any appropriate means, including welded, soldered,screwed, clasped, mated, or made in conjunction with the orthodonticbracket placement device as a unibody construction.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an orthodontic bracket placementdevice 200 of the present invention. As may be seen in FIG. 2, verticalshaft portion 202 of device 200 is formed with bends 204 and 206 betweenhorizontal bracket engaging means 208 and handle 210. Bends 204 and 206are formed to provide a level of comfort with respect to a user's angleof approach to a patient's mouth. It should be understood that bends 204and 206 are illustrative and may be modified in number and degree toallow for various angles and orientations of device 200. In addition,although shaft 202 is shown with bends 204 and 206 in a single plane,additional bends or curves may be incorporated in other directions toensure patient comfort and physician access to the various locationswithin a patient's mouth.

Orthodontic bracket placement devices of the present invention may beconstructed of any suitable material for dental and/or orthodonticdevices, including, but not limited to metal, such as stainless steel,and polymeric materials, such as plastics. Metals, such as stainlesssteel, are beneficial in that devices constructed from such materialsmay be sterilized and reused. Polymeric materials, such as plastics, arebeneficial in that devices constructed from such materials may be madetransparent to allow for better visualization of the teeth on which thedentist/orthodontist is working. In addition, plastic devices may besingle-use. In particular embodiments of the present invention, thedevice is preferably rigid in construction.

Devices of the present invention may be made from a single piece ofmaterial (i.e., unibody), or may be multiple pieces that are puttogether, either before or after manufacture, by welding, screws,mateable elements etc. For example, a horizontal bracket engaging meansmay screw into one end of a vertical shaft. Thus, a single verticalshaft could be used for multiple horizontal bracket engaging means, forexample, each having a different tip or prescription. In addition,various dental tools may be screwed in or mated with one end of anorthodontic bracket placement device of the present invention.

Furthermore, devices of the present invention may be constructed withvarious widths, lengths and circumferences of bracket engaging means andvertical shafts. In particular embodiments of the present invention, thevertical shaft may form a junction with the bracket engaging means thatis at the center of the bracket engaging means, or may be off-center.

FIG. 3 illustrates an orthodontic bracket placement device 300 accordingto the present invention being used to place a coordinated bracket 302on a tooth 304. Device 300 has a vertical shaft 306 and a horizontalbracket engaging means 308. The identifiers “vertical” and “horizontal”are for illustrative purposes only and refer to the typical orientationof device 300 when in use. Vertical placement bands 310 representvertical placement prescriptions for brackets. Each band 310 representsa different placement height of a bracket on a tooth.

Bracket 302 has a horizontal arch wire slot 312. Horizontal bracketengaging means 308 fits within arch wire slot 312 to allow the user toapply pressure to bracket 302 against tooth 304 and to move bracket 302into the proper location. A horizontal bracket engaging means of thepresent invention may be made to fit into any standard arch wire slot,such as 0.022 inches or 0.018 inches, or to fit into any custom archwire slot. A horizontal bracket engaging means of the present inventionmay be longer than, shorter than, or the same length as the width of thebracket.

Bracket 302 may also have vertical alignment markings 314 and/orhorizontal alignment markings 316. Markings 314 and 316 may be etchedinto bracket 302 or may be lines or colors that provide a reference linefor proper alignment.

In use, horizontal bracket engaging means 308 is inserted into arch wireslot 312. Bracket 302 is placed against tooth 304, preferably on thefacial aspect of tooth 304, and moved into a proper position. A suitabledental or orthodontic adhesive is used to hold bracket 302 in place. Todetermine proper horizontal placement of bracket 302, the useridentifies the long axis of the tooth and aligns bracket 302 andvertical shaft 306 along the long axis of the tooth. Optional verticalalignment markings may assist in aligning vertical shaft 306 properly.For proper vertical placement, the user identifies the desired verticalplacement for the particular tooth and bracket and aligns the band 310that corresponds to the desired vertical placement with incisal edge 318of tooth 304. To ensure proper placement, bracket 302 may have anorientation dot 320 located on a wing 322 of bracket 302 that iscolored, etched, or otherwise distinguishable from other such markings.In embodiments of the present invention, orientation dot 320 correspondsto indicia, markings, colors etc. on bands 310. Thus, to achieve thedesired vertical placement of bracket 302, the user aligns band 310having the same color or other marking as orientation dot 320 withincisal edge 318 of tooth 304.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the use of an embodiment of an orthodonticbracket placement device of the present invention. As outlined above, abracket placement device 402 of the present invention may be used toengage an orthodontic bracket 404 and allow a user to move bracket 404into a proper location. A bracket placement device 402 of the presentinvention allows for proper vertical and horizontal placement, as wellas proper orientation and angulation of bracket 404 on tooth 406.Bracket placement device 402 may be used to align bracket 404 to allowfor proper insertion of arch wire 408 into bracket 404.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show alternate embodiments of a bracket placement deviceof the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a bracket placement device 602having a mirror 604 on one end of bracket placement device 602. FIG. 7shows a bracket placement device 702 having a dental scaler 704 on oneend of bracket placement device 702.

A bracket placement device 800 of the present invention may beconstructed as illustrated in FIG. 8. Device 800 has a vertical shaft802 and a horizontal bracket engaging means 804. The identifiers“vertical” and “horizontal” are for illustrative purposes only and referto the typical orientation of device 800 when in use. Horizontal bracketengaging means 804 is shown joined to vertical shaft 802 with verticalshaft 802 offset to allow for device 800 to be comfortably and easilyinserted into a coordinated bracket. Horizontal bracket engaging means804 may be of various sizes, for example, approximately 0.1 to 0.2inches, preferably approximately 0.16 inches, in height, approximately2–4 mm in width or depth, and approximately 5–15 mm, preferablyapproximately 10 mm, in length. The x-direction of bracket engagingmeans 804 is identified as element 814 and the y-direction is identifiedas element 816. In embodiments of the present invention, vertical shaft802 may be formed in various locations along either the x-direction orthe y-direction to form an offset junction with horizontal bracketengaging means 804 to allow for insertion of device 800 into varioustypes and sizes of brackets. For example, in an embodiment of thepresent invention a vertical shaft may be off-set approximately 3 mmfrom one edge of a 4 mm wide horizontal bracket engaging means, andwould thus be offset about 1 mm.

Vertical placement bands 806 represent vertical placement prescriptionsfor brackets. Each band 806 represents a different desired placementheight of a bracket on a tooth. Device 800 is shown with opening device808 as a mechanism that may be screwed into one end of device 800. Screw810 mates with threaded opening 812 to hold opening device 808 on device800. Opening device 808 may be used for various purposes including beingused to manipulate moving parts on certain orthodontic brackets,including opening and closing slides, doors or flaps on such brackets.An example of a bracket containing such a slide may be found in theDAMON SYSTEM™ sold by Ormco Corporation.

FIG. 9 illustrates an orthodontic bracket placement device 900 accordingto the present invention being used to place a coordinated bracket 902on a tooth 904. Device 900 has a vertical shaft 906 and a horizontalbracket engaging means 908. The identifiers “vertical” and “horizontal”are for illustrative purposes only and refer to the typical orientationof device 900 when in use. Vertical placement bands 910 representvertical placement prescriptions for brackets. Each band 910 representsa different placement height of a bracket on a tooth.

Bracket 902 has a horizontal arch wire slot 912. Horizontal bracketengaging means 908 fits within arch wire slot 912 to allow the user toapply pressure to bracket 902 against tooth 904 and to move bracket 902into the proper location. A horizontal bracket engaging means of thepresent invention may be made to fit into any standard arch wire slot,such as 0.022 inches or 0.018 inches, or to fit into any custom archwire slot. A horizontal bracket engaging means of the present inventionmay be longer than, shorter than, or the same length as the width of thebracket.

In use, horizontal bracket engaging means 908 is inserted into arch wireslot 912 so that contacting surface 922 of bracket engaging means 908abuts a contacting surface 924 of arch wire slot 912 along the length ofcontacting surface 924. Contacting surface 922 is offset by a distance Ain the x-direction, indicated by double-head arrow 926, from verticalshaft 906. Horizontal bracket engaging means 908 is parallel to archwire slot 912 in the horizontal dimension. Bracket 902 is placed againsttooth 904, preferably on the facial aspect of tooth 904, and moved intoa proper position. A suitable dental or orthodontic adhesive is used tohold bracket 902 in place. To determine proper horizontal placement ofbracket 902, the user identifies the long axis of the tooth and alignsbracket 902 and vertical shaft 906 along the long axis of the tooth. Forproper vertical placement, the user identifies the desired verticalplacement for the particular tooth and bracket and aligns the band 910that corresponds to the desired vertical placement with incisal edge 918of tooth 904. In various brackets used in the methods of the presentinvention, an opening device (such as shown in FIG. 8, opening device808) may be used for various purposes including being used to manipulatemoving parts on certain orthodontic brackets, including opening andclosing a slide 920. Slide 920 provides increased comfort to a patientand covers arch wire slot 912. An example of a bracket containing such aslide may be found in the DAMON SYSTEM™ sold by Ormco Corporation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 10,an orthodontic bracket placement device of the present invention mayinclude a stop or stops 1000 to assist the user in making accurateplacement determinations. An example of a suitable stop 1000 is aslidable device having an extension 1002 that extends over the incisaledge of a tooth. Such a slidable device may be moved up and down a shaft1004 of a bracket placement device of the present invention and mayengage with bands 1006 on the placement device. When engaged with a band1006 corresponding to the desired height, the user would align extension1002 of stop 1000 with the incisal edge of a tooth. Such a stop wouldassist the user in making the proper height determination. Any othersuitable dental or orthodontic stops may be used with the presentinvention.

The present invention also provides for saleable kits. As shown in FIG.11, a kit 1100 of the present invention may include a bracket placementdevice of the present invention 1102, at least one bracket 1104, archwire 1106, and/or adhesive 1108. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the components of the kit may be individually sterilizedand/or the entire kit may be sterilized.

EXAMPLES Example I

A bracket placement device of the present invention was constructed witha 0.016 inch×0.022 inch stainless steel horizontal bracket engagingmeans. The stainless steel bracket engaging means was constructed to beapproximately the width of a standard orthodontic bracket, and narrowenough gingivally and incisally so as to fit within the arch wire slotof a standard 0.022 inch and 0.018 inch orthodontic bracket. The shaftof the device is marked in colors (see below) at specific distances fromthe junction of the vertical shaft and the horizontal 0.016 inch×0.022inch stainless steel bracket engaging means. The measurements on theshaft are 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, and 5.0 mm. Standardized measurementsfor proper placement of brackets have been established at the followingdistances from the middle of an arch wire slot to the incisal edge of anassociated tooth:

Maxillary Arch: Tooth 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 Number Position 4 4 4 5 44.5 4.5 4 5 4 4 4 (in mm from incisal edge) Mandibular Arch: Tooth 6 5 43 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 Number Position 4 4 4 4.5 4 4 4 4 4.5 4 4 4 (in mmfrom incisal edge)

These specific measurements help insure the appropriate vertical,horizontal, and lingual orientation and final positioning of teethfollowing orthodontic treatment. If these dimensions are not used, themanufactured prescription for the brackets will not be “filled” orcarried out, and a random alignment of the teeth can be anticipated as adirect result of inappropriate and substandard treatment.

As mentioned above, the colored markings on the shaft correspond withthe same color orientation dot on the distogingival wing of eachbracket. In other words, since each bracket has been assigned a specificposition vertically from the incisal edge of the tooth to the midportion of the bracket slot by the bracket manufacturer in order to best“fill” the individual bracket-tooth prescription, the selected color onthe measuring shaft corresponds to that particular bracket and itsvertical specifications for that tooth. For this example, randomlychosen colors have been assigned to specific measurements required forproper bracket placement:

3.5 mm=red

4.0 mm=blue

4.5 mm=black

5.0 mm=green

If a bracket has been manufactured for placement on a tooth having a 4.0mm incisal-edge/bracket-slot dimension, that specific bracket will havea “blue” orientation dot. That is, each color on the shaft of thebracket placement device will correspond to the prescribed verticalprescription for each bracket having the same colored orientation dot asthe appropriate increment on the bracket placement device. The verticalshaft of the bracket placement device is used to align the bracket alongthe long axis of each tooth and the horizontal bracket engaging means ofthe device fits within the arch wire slot of each bracket to allow forprecise vertical height adjustment as well as orientation along the longaxis of the tooth being bracketed.

Although the present invention has been fully described in conjunctionwith the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications are to be understood as included within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they departtherefrom.

1. An orthodontic bracket placement device comprising: a bracketengaging means for engaging an arch wire slot of an orthodontic bracket,said bracket engaging means including a contacting surface for abuttinga contacting surface of said arch wire slot when said bracket engagingmeans engages said arch wire slot; and a vertical shaft extending fromsaid bracket engaging means, said shaft including a plurality of indiciafor aligning with the incisal edge of a tooth when said bracketplacement device is used to place an orthodontic bracket on the facialaspect of a tooth while said bracket engaging means only engages saidarch wire slot, wherein the contacting surface of said bracket engagingmeans is offset from said vertical shaft in the x-direction of saidbracket engaging means.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pluralityof indicia comprises lines.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said lineshave at least two different colors.
 4. The device of claim 3, whereinsaid at least two different colors each indicate a different specificvertical placement of said orthodontic bracket on said tooth.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said plurality of indicia are etched intosaid shaft.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of indiciaglow in the dark.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said bracketengaging means is at an angle of between about 70° and about 110° from ahorizontal plane with respect to said vertical shaft.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said bracket engaging means is at an angle ofsubstantially 90° from a horizontal plane with respect to said verticalshaft.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a dental scalerlocated at an end of the device opposite to a junction formed betweensaid bracket engaging means and said vertical shaft.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a mirror located at an end of the deviceopposite to a junction formed between said bracket engaging means andsaid vertical shaft.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein said devicecomprises stainless steel.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein saiddevice comprises a polymeric material.
 13. The device of claim 1,wherein said device is of unibody construction.
 14. The device of claim1, wherein said plurality of indicia each indicate a different specificvertical placement of said orthodontic bracket on said tooth.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein said plurality of indicia correspond tobracket placements of 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm and 5.0 mm measured fromthe incisal edge of said tooth.
 16. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a stop disposed on said vertical shaft.
 17. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said vertical shaft is offset from the center of saidcontacting surface of said bracket engaging means in the y-direction ofthe bracket engaging means.
 18. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a threaded opening for receiving a dental tool having acoordinated screw, wherein said threaded opening is located at an end ofthe device opposite to a junction formed between said bracket engagingmeans and said vertical shaft.
 19. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising an opening device located at an end of the device opposite toa junction formed between said bracket engaging means and said verticalshaft.
 20. The device of claim 1, wherein said bracket engaging means isabout 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in height.
 21. The device of claim 1,wherein said bracket engaging means is about 0.16 inches in height. 22.The device of claim 1, wherein said bracket engaging means is about 2 toabout 4 mm in width.
 23. The device of claim 1, wherein said bracketengaging means is about 5 to about 15 mm in length.
 24. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said bracket engaging means is about 10 mm in length.25. A method for placing an orthodontic bracket on a tooth comprising:engaging said orthodontic bracket with an orthodontic bracket placementdevice comprising a bracket engaging means for engaging an arch wireslot of an orthodontic bracket, said bracket engaging means including acontacting surface for abutting a contacting surface of said arch wireslot when said bracket engaging means engages said arch wire slot, and avertical shaft extending from said bracket engaging means, said shaftincluding a plurality of indicia for aligning with the incisal edge ofsaid tooth, when said bracket placement device is used to place anorthodontic bracket on the facial aspect of a tooth while said bracketengaging means only engages said arch wire slot, wherein the contactingsurface of said bracket engaging means is offset from said verticalshaft in the x-direction of said bracket engaging means; and placingsaid orthodontic bracket to said tooth at a particular position on thetooth using said orthodontic bracket placement device.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein said plurality of indicia comprises lines.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, wherein said lines have at least two differentcolors.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said at least two differentcolors each indicate a different specific vertical placement of saidorthodontic bracket on said tooth.
 29. The method of claim 28, whereinone of said at least two different colors corresponds to a color locatedon said bracket.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said color locatedon said bracket is located on a wing of said bracket.
 31. The method ofclaim 30, wherein said wing is the distogingival wing of said bracket.32. The method of claim 25, wherein said plurality of indicia are etchedinto a vertical shaft of said device.
 33. The method of claim 25,wherein said plurality of indicia glow in the dark.
 34. The method ofclaim 25, wherein said bracket engaging means is at an angle of betweenabout 70° and about 110° from a horizontal plane with respect to avertical shaft of said device.
 35. The method of claim 25, wherein saidbracket engaging means is at an angle of substantially 90° from ahorizontal plane with respect to a vertical shaft of said device. 36.The method of claim 25, wherein said plurality of indicia each indicatea different specific vertical placement of said orthodontic bracket onsaid tooth.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein said plurality ofindicia correspond to bracket placements of 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm and5.0 mm measured from the incisal edge of said tooth.
 38. The method ofclaim 25, further comprising a stop disposed on a vertical shaft of saiddevice.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said stop is engaged with aregion of said device having said plurality of indicia and said stop isaligned with the incisal edge of said tooth.
 40. The method of claim 25,wherein said vertical shaft is offset from the center of said contactsurface of said bracket engaging means in the y-direction of the bracketengaging means.
 41. The method of claim 25, further comprising athreaded opening for receiving a dental tool having a coordinated screw,wherein said threaded opening is located at an end of the deviceopposite to a junction formed between said bracket engaging means andsaid vertical shaft.
 42. The method of claim 25, further comprising anopening device located at an end of the device opposite to a junctionformed between said bracket engaging means and said vertical shaft. 43.The method of claim 42, wherein said opening device is used to open orclose a slide operatively engaged with said bracket.
 44. The method ofclaim 25, wherein said bracket engaging means is about 0.1 to about 0.2inches in height.
 45. The method of claim 25, wherein said bracketengaging means is about 0.16 inches in height.
 46. The method of claim25, wherein said bracket engaging means is about 2 to about 4 mm inwidth.
 47. The method of claim 25, wherein said bracket engaging meansis about 5 to about 15 mm in length.
 48. The method of claim 25, whereinsaid bracket engaging means is about 10 mm in length.
 49. A saleable kitcomprising: at least one orthodontic bracket placement devicecomprising: a bracket engaging means for engaging an arch wire slot ofan orthodontic bracket, said bracket engaging means including acontacting surface for abutting a contacting surface of said arch wireslot when said bracket engaging means engages said arch wire slot; and avertical shaft extending from said bracket engaging means, said shaftincluding a plurality of indicia for aligning with the incisal edge of atooth when said bracket placement device is used to place an orthodonticbracket on the facial aspect of a tooth while said bracket engagingmeans only engages said arch wire slot, wherein the contacting surfaceof said bracket engaging means is offset from said vertical shaft in thex-direction of said bracket engaging means; and one or more brackets.50. The kit of claim 49, wherein said kit is sterilized.
 51. The kit ofclaim 49, further comprising at least one bracket.
 52. The kit of claim51, wherein said kit is sterilized.
 53. The kit of claim 49, furthercomprising arch wire.
 54. The kit of claim 53, wherein said kit issterilized.
 55. The kit of claim 49, further comprising dental adhesive.56. The kit of claim 55, wherein said kit is sterilized.
 57. The kit ofclaim 49, wherein said plurality of indicia comprises lines.
 58. The kitof claim 57, wherein said lines have at least two different colors. 59.The kit of claim 58, wherein said at least two different colors eachindicate a different specific vertical placement of said orthodonticbracket on said tooth.
 60. The kit of claim 59, further comprising atleast one bracket.
 61. The kit of claim 60, wherein one of said at leasttwo different colors corresponds to a color located on said bracket. 62.The kit of claim 61, wherein said color located on said bracket islocated on a wing of said bracket.
 63. The kit of claim 62, wherein saidwing is the distogingival wing of said bracket.
 64. The kit of claim 49,wherein said plurality of indicia are etched into said shaft.
 65. Thekit of claim 49, wherein said plurality of indicia glow in the dark. 66.The kit of claim 49, wherein said bracket engaging means is at an angleof between about 70° and about 110° from a horizontal plane with respectto said vertical shaft.
 67. The kit of claim 49, wherein said bracketengaging means is at an angle of substantially 90° from a horizontalplane with respect to said vertical shaft.
 68. The kit of claim 49,further comprising a dental scaler located at an end of the deviceopposite to a junction formed between said bracket engaging means andsaid vertical shaft.
 69. The kit of claim 49, further comprising amirror located at an end of the device opposite to a junction formedbetween said bracket engaging means and said vertical shaft.
 70. The kitof claim 49, wherein said device comprises stainless steel.
 71. The kitof claim 49, wherein said device comprises a polymeric material.
 72. Thekit of claim 49, wherein said device is of unibody construction.
 73. Thekit of claim 49, wherein said plurality of indicia each indicate adifferent specific vertical placement of said orthodontic bracket onsaid tooth.
 74. The kit of claim 73, wherein said plurality of indiciacorrespond to bracket placements of 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm and 5.0 mmmeasured from the incisal edge of said tooth.
 75. The kit of claim 49,further comprising a stop disposed on said vertical shaft.
 76. The kitof claim 49, wherein said vertical shaft is offset from the center ofsaid contacting surface of said bracket engaging means in they-direction of the bracket engaging means.
 77. The kit of claim 49,further comprising a threaded opening for receiving a dental tool havinga coordinated screw, wherein said threaded opening is located at an endof the device opposite to a junction formed between said bracketengaging means and said vertical shaft.
 78. The kit of claim 49, furthercomprising an opening device located at an end of the device opposite toa junction formed between said bracket engaging means and said verticalshaft.
 79. The kit of claim 49, wherein said bracket engaging means isabout 0.1 to about 0.2 inches in height.
 80. The kit of claim 49,wherein said bracket engaging means is about 0.16 inches in height. 81.The kit of claim 49, wherein said bracket engaging means is about 2 toabout 4 mm in width.
 82. The kit of claim 49, wherein said bracketengaging means is about 5 to about 15 mm in length.
 83. The kit of claim49, wherein said bracket engaging means is about 10 mm in length.